The name changes by country, but the super high speed trains tend to make it harder to see the countryside. Though the ICE from Mannheim to Munich was very nice.
Other trains are much more scenic as they travel on different tracks.
I lived in Germany for 9.5 years, anytime the drive time was more than two hours I considered the train. Driving was just too stressful for me. Some people drove just way too slow and I wanted to go FAST! Slamming on my brakes every few minutes and Mrs. Gamecock screaming look out was too much.
I drove in Germany. It was the fast drivers that scared me. If you were in the right lane and came up on a slow driver you were taking your life in your hands trying to pass. There would always be someone going 100 MPH in the left lane. Passing was suicide!